Liotine & SBU Stun Maine on Hail Mary

November 19, 2017

Liotine celebrates his touchdown vs. Maine

Yesterday afternoon the Stony Brook University football team capped its impressive regular season with a miraculous finish in Maine’s Alfond Stadium, reeling in a 35-yard Hail Mary as time expired to stun the Black Bears, 20-19.

The Seawolves fell behind early, 12-0, but Don Liotine ’13 cut into the lead with his 8th touchdown of the season, a 10-yard scoring run that capped a 6-play, 52-yard drive. However, Maine responded less than a minute later to push their lead back to two scores at 19-7, an edge they would maintain at the half.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter, then Stony Brook moved within a score with 10:46 remaining in the fourth, only to be stymied until regaining the ball for one final possession with just 31 seconds left, setting up the improbable finish to the 73-yard drive. The victory pushed Stony Brook’s record to 9-2 (7-1), earning the Seawolves a 2nd place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association behind only James Madison, the nation’s top-ranked team with a perfect 8-0 record in conference. The win also solidified Stony Brook’s strong case for inclusion in the 24-team FCS Playoff field.

Liotine led the Seawolves in rushing with 57 yards on 16 carries. He added a 16-yard reception and a 42-yard kickoff return to lead the Brook in all-purpose yards with 115.

The Seawolves will find out today at 11:00am whether or not their season will continue with a postseason berth.